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exhibited compliance problems in recent years in achieving the mandatory and<br />

recommended microbiological standards specified in Directive 76/160/EEC (CEC,<br />

2004, COM581). Water quality data does suggest the strong possibility of farm animal<br />

derived pollution affecting this compliance location and driving non-compliance.<br />

METHODS<br />

With only nine farms, Brighouse Bay w<strong>as</strong> an ideal place to establish and monitor<br />

BMPs and <strong>as</strong>sess any improvement in water quality through comparison with a<br />

control catchment. The main aim w<strong>as</strong> to determine to what extent improved farm<br />

practices and BMPs could contribute to improved water quality in the catchment. By<br />

introducing a range of relevant BMPs, a further objective w<strong>as</strong> to <strong>as</strong>sess their relative<br />

merits in terms of pollutant removal.<br />

The objective of environmental monitoring in the Brighouse Bay investigation w<strong>as</strong><br />

to me<strong>as</strong>ure, and if possible quantify, the effects of the steading and field-b<strong>as</strong>ed<br />

me<strong>as</strong>ures on the quality of water impacting on bathing water compliance in the bay.<br />

The project had the following specific objectives:<br />

• To collect evidence of water quality change.<br />

• To <strong>as</strong>sess the effectiveness of me<strong>as</strong>ures.<br />

• To <strong>as</strong>sess the cost effectiveness of me<strong>as</strong>ures.<br />

• To acquire knowledge of the relative importance of me<strong>as</strong>ures.<br />

• To establish a protocol for conducting a catchment appraisal of BMPs.<br />

Farm pollution audits (Scottish Executive 4 Point Plan, 2002) have been carried out<br />

at each of the nine farms wholly within the catchment. The following factors were<br />

considered:<br />

• W<strong>as</strong>te systems currently in place for slurry, farm yard manure and dirty water,<br />

their capacity, operation and condition.<br />

• An audit of the w<strong>as</strong>te produced and the suitable land available for spreading<br />

b<strong>as</strong>ed on the risk of run-off after a w<strong>as</strong>te application.<br />

• An audit of the spread able days according to monthly rainfall, dry and frost<br />

days.<br />

• Farmyard drainage audit and plan.<br />

• Calculations to demonstrate the actual capacity of the existing w<strong>as</strong>te systems.<br />

Other farm data prepared includes:<br />

• Farm Nutrient Budget and Fertiliser Plan.<br />

• Water Margin Management Audit.<br />

129

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